This thread can focus on the latest X-3D add-ons and continue on with general discussion that is not limited to the X-3D X-BL Quadrocopter, but also should include anything X-UFO, X-Tuning, or general Quadrocopter (or even Tri-Copter) related ... so continue on with these topics of general discussion as well.

PART 1 included discussion on the X-3D X-BL release and upgrade from the Silverlit X-UFO and much more info.

PART 2 included discussion on the new X-ACC add-on board for self-leveling control, then Open Source X-3D FunPilot (successor to the X-3D Gyroboard w/Pressure Sensor for Height Hold control), new X-BL owner help on setting it up and getting airborne, Alien Air Jump Jet and Flying Saucer, anticipation of the new X-3D Compass add-on module, and much more info.

Some interested parties have asked "how much soldering is involved with this kit"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tend2it

Not that much soldering ... (three X-BLDC esc wires to three X-BL motor wires) x 4; (two X-BLDC wires to the X-Base BL +/-) X 4; two lipo battery connector wires to X-Base +/-); Berg 4L Rx mod (if in US) has three wires to the Berg and three wires to the X-Base
The power taps for 11V and 5V were soldered to the X-Base at +5/+11V and FET #1 and #2 locs ... all have connection holes along the rim of the board to solder to.

The LED mods were also soldered to the X-Base ... two wires X 4; The LED strips were also soldered together to one connector

then 4 X-BLDC communication wires plugged into each esc to the X-Base;

Some interested parties have asked if this particular quadro can be used for Aerial Video Photography ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tend2it

Although not endorsed by the inventors ... it can be and has been used to carry cameras and perform Point Of View (POV) flying. It is however a bit small to track at a great distance and lift heavy payloads as compared to its MikroKopter/UAVP/BL-Draganflyer counterparts which are more designed for that purpose. This quadro is designed to be more of a Ferrari in fun flight performance.

The X-3D Brushless Quadrocopter is the high-end four-rotor helicopter developed by the X-3D Crew (including two of the original designers of the Silverlit X-UFO). The new craft is no longer a toy … but a professional flying machine. It uses four brushless outrunners motors (called X-BL) which are connected to the high-performance brushless controllers (called X-BLDC) which where developed for the needs of a multi-rotor system. Due to the high speed attitude controller running at 1kHz and the very good power to thrust ratio of about 4:1 the X-BL is a perfect trainer for acrobatic helicopter flying. It shares the advantages of the mechanical simplicity and robustness with all other quadro-, and multicopters. No complex swashplate and head assembly to worry about. Here are some pics of the completed X-BL Quadrocopter (with beta X-BL motors ... the current X-BL motors are mono-tone color and more powerful)

It is currently sold as a DIY Kit Project where the key components of the X-3D Gyro Board, X-Base Main Board, X-BL Brushless controller and motor kit, X-CSM Frame, X-Propellers, USB Interface, Tx and Rx will be available separately. This DIY Project will require some minor soldering of the X-BL, Rx, power connector, and LEDs to the X-Base Main Board. With the flexibility of supporting different Receivers, any 6-channel Transmitter or higher can be used to control it.

Quadrocopters operate on the principle of using two pairs of counter rotating fixed propellers. Controlling the rpms of each individual motor by a microcomputer allows for ascend/descend, turn right/left, tilt forward/back, or roll left/right flight characteristics. In that respect, it is a little easier to fly than a conventional RC helicopter.

OpenSourcePilot-Software is a pilot project to the management of X-BL Quadrocoptern for private projects with disclosed source code will allow hardware and as the FunPilot. The project will start in summer 2008. It may at any time between FunPilot pilot and open source software to be changed.

This is a board adapter to computer USB interface with Windows application used to program the X-BL Quadrocopter

- Allows firmware programming and tweaking of the X-3D Gyroboard
- Allows firmware programming and tweaking of the X-Base main board

Optional X-ACC => Price: 96,90 euros = ~ 142.82091 U.S. dollars

FeaturesSensors
X-3D and X-Base use a three axis acceleration sensor (X-ACC) as absolute angle reference in pitch and rollCompatibility
The well known X-3D heading hold mode remains fully functional. Loops, rolls in any combination and all tricks are still possible. Your user defined settings are still compatible! The Ext1 function (which can be trained in with the X-Base e.g. on channel 5) is used to switch to the X-ACC mode during flight.Precision
The X-ACC mode estimates the absolute pitch and roll angle with an ultra fast data fusion. The RC sticks set the absolute angle!
Put the sticks in the middle and the UFO will come back to a horizontal level within the measurement precision. The X-ACC mode is perfect for very precise indoor flights and for beginners to get in touch with flying a UFO.Dynamic
The unique three axis compensation enables the X-ACC UFO to fly highly dynamic maneuvers with excellent precision and gives a safe start for dynamic 2D aerobatic flights.Safety
Close or far away: The X-ACC ensures that the UFO is always controllable. This is increasing the safe maximum flight distance. In case of an reception loss the UFO comes back to the horizontal level and descends slowly.
Future investment All potentially upcoming X-Base upgrades will be able to use the X-ACC as well.
Compatibility The X-ACC works with brushed motors as well as in brushless UFOs.

NOTE: If you remove the pin pads, you can introduce more problems on the board traces.

Transmitter Options
- Any PPM Supported Professional Transmitter will work using ACRO standard settings
- Recommended 6-channels or greater (Some folks are operating minimally with 4-channels)

Misc Details
Additional things needed to get the X-3D Brushless Quadrocopter off the ground

- Lipo Battery connector and gage wire to be soldered to the X-Base main board
- Lipo Battery for flying (730, 900, 910, 1000, 1050, etc... mAh 3-cell 11.1V)
- Tx/Rx matching crystal frequencies
- Optional NAV LED and wires to be soldered to the X-Base main board (can use existing X-UFO LED boards)
- NOTE: cables (10 to 12 gauge?) and connectors need to be able to take 20amps of average current (max current could be up to < 40amps)

All components are exclusively sold by the XUfo-shop (http://www.xufo-shop.de). Note: an English version of xufo-shop coming soon.
Currently German->English translators like http://babelfish.altavista.com/ can be used to translate order form line items or send an email to the shop detailing what you want to order. They accept PayPAL (for a small service charge) which will do the currency conversion when paying in Euros.

Available through http://forum.xufo.net … Don't let a German forum site scare you, There is a healthy English speaking community there and posting/answers can be in English. There is also an [In English] bablefish translator for German content in the toolbar. There is a large established community of friendly Quadrocopter flyers and X-BL beta testers there.

This will link you to several other past threads and forum topics with an abundance of related information buried within.

In the previous thread, there is already discussion from experience on the new X-CSM frame, X-Base main board, Berg 4L Receiver mod and installation, the X-3D gyroboard, and +20C lipo battery discussion for the BL Upgrade. The X-BL kit is the eagerly awaited missing component that hopefully will arrive soon.

@John ......just give it some time and you will see what you want .. you already missed a lot of really amazing things in the last two threads ... and I assure you, you will love what's coming ....., but no jet quadros as far as I know ...

I KNOW ... LOL, but it doesn't have the foam anymore! ... I'm interested to see you pursue your ducted fan build.

Aside from helping jkantiques with his new X-3D X-BL setup, I had to fill the void till the X-3D MAG Compass orders start to arrive from Germany ... which can be anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. I am working on a mod for my X-3D X-BL to give it a different look for orientation ... but I haven't had the time to finish it yet ... inspired by a B5 Whitestar.
--Eric--

Images

Have you noticed that the logic output optical isolators used for the DIY brushless conversion are not in stock in most of the online stores, .. I've tried digikey, and mouser with no luck ... do you have any idea where I can buy them .. of course other than the medusa research which sells the whole assembled kit

I am working on a mod for my X-3D X-BL to give it a different look for orientation ... but I haven't had the time to finish it yet ... inspired by a B5 Whitestar.

Well ... finally got the concept flushed out for this new orientation look. It is composed entirely of lightweight CF rods, red florescent airplane decal material, and a plastic tip (used to cover wire). From the shots, you can get an idea of the X-BL with a more pronounced front and rear shape ... with distinctive front extension clearly marked red along with a split pair of rear fins. I kept the extension frame open on purpose to allow maximum air flow from the props and minimum air resistance. The orientation extension is also removable ... I will probably use twisty ties or thread or thin wire to keep it in place. The CF rods use the existing X-CSM slots for mounting. The plastic tip tensions the rods into place and the Waterproof LED strips are used as a guide. Secondary CF rods cross section the triangle rods to keep them in place. Gotta try it with the Waterproof LED strips turned ON next.

More detail will be in my blog area when I have a little more time. Pretty happy with the result
--Eric--

Nothing against the foam toys (I've got 4 ) but I really am trying to see what is available in lifting Quadrocopters for airborne filming etc. The X3 doesn't yet seem to have a big following in the UK?? anyone?

As long as it's rag-on-Eric day, then I'll mention my "surprise" to find 15 pages of crap (i.e. redundant material repeated from previous chapters) to weed through before even getting to the first post. In some ways it doesn't matter because I'm usually coming via email link to "newpost" BUT all that stuff does have to be downloaded every time someone loads this thread.

The thing about doing *anything* is that you usually won't have anyone step up to the plate but as soon as you do, you'll have a dozen people telling you what you did wrong. In that spirit, thanks for your continued efforts, Eric, and no, I don't want the job.

Well ... finally got the concept flushed out for this new orientation look. ...

Kind of reminds me of JumpJet on steroids. I'm kind of neutral on that concept, but I'll tell you what I really like about it. As Khaled mentioned, the fact that it helps with the orientation. Virtually all my crashes including the fatal one a week ago are due to losing orientation. I haven't crashed due to losing control in or after a maneuver in a long time.

As long as it's rag-on-Eric day, then I'll mention my "surprise" to find 15 pages of crap (i.e. redundant material repeated from previous chapters) to weed through before even getting to the first post. In some ways it doesn't matter because I'm usually coming via email link to "newpost" BUT all that stuff does have to be downloaded every time someone loads this thread.

The thing about doing *anything* is that you usually won't have anyone step up to the plate but as soon as you do, you'll have a dozen people telling you what you did wrong. In that spirit, thanks for your continued efforts, Eric, and no, I don't want the job.

-Marty

... I put that old stuff in for newbies since the other primary links are closed ... you still need that attention grabber with the global info ... and I added some new sections at the beginning for direct thread highlights (similar to OMM's started in thread 2) and cool related links.

Glad you like my orientation concept ... I'll get the details along to you soon.
--Eric--

I just did the resistor mod on the little saucer. I only modded the yaw (R20) because I didn't feel the need for pitch/roll. In retrospect, I made the right move because it was one major MF working with that small stuff. Had I attempted all three resistors I would probably still be there at midnight.

I scavenged a 56K SMD resistor off an old X-UFO Chinaboard. This should give me about 23K in parallel with the stock 39K resistor. This was R94 on the top side of the Chinaboard and was the closest SMD resistor to the hole where the antenna attaches. There are also a couple of 47K resistors on the bottom of the Chinaboard. If I was to do it all again, I would use one of those instead to yield closer to 21K total. For a small additional improvement I am not willing to take the risk given the difficulty of this mod.

I believe that a 1/8W conventional resistor could also have been made to work (soldering to the pins on the IC chips).

The Saucer flies very good now. It picked up a bit of a shake from time to time but nothing I can't live with. I've made some spirited flights around the living room with the new resistor and was able to fly the nose the whole time which would not have been possible without the mod.

Thanks for the helpful advice on this mod and for the recommendation of this fun toy.

I just did the resistor mod on the little saucer. I only modded the yaw (R20) because I didn't feel the need for pitch/roll. In retrospect, I made the right move because it was one major MF working with that small stuff. Had I attempted all three resistors I would probably still be there at midnight.

I scavenged a 56K SMD resistor off an old X-UFO Chinaboard. This should give me about 23K in parallel with the stock 39K resistor. This was R94 on the top side of the Chinaboard and was the closest SMD resistor to the hole where the antenna attaches. There are also a couple of 47K resistors on the bottom of the Chinaboard. If I was to do it all again, I would use one of those instead to yield closer to 21K total. For a small additional improvement I am not willing to take the risk given the difficulty of this mod.

I believe that a 1/8W conventional resistor could also have been made to work (soldering to the pins on the IC chips).

The Saucer flies very good now. It picked up a bit of a shake from time to time but nothing I can't live with. I've made some spirited flights around the living room with the new resistor and was able to fly the nose the whole time which would not have been possible without the mod.

Thanks for the helpful advice on this mod and for the recommendation of this fun toy.

-Marty

Marty,
All I have to do is use the 47k resistors without removing the others? Can you tell me the numbers of the 47k?